Cytochrome P-450s:polymorphic multigene families involved in carcinogen activation

The polymorphic expression of cytochrome P-450 genes appears to be an important factor in adverse reactions to drugs, environmental toxins and chemical carcinogens. An understanding of the molecular basis of these polymorphisms may enable prediction and prevention of some of these effects. The high degree of polymorphism of this multigene family and scattered distribution of the subfamilies in the human genome may well provide useful markers for gene mapping and the study of genetic linkage in human disease.